MANZINI – Some of the foreign nationals currently being prosecuted for setting up an illegal gambling scheme are on the red list of Interpol.
Police are investigating how they fled from other countries where they were exposed for similar offences.
The group of foreign nationals were arrested in Eswatini for operating an unlawful online business, known as ‘pig butchering’. The individuals, who were staying in the country illegally, face charges of money laundering, violating immigration laws and operating online gambling without a licence.
The National Commissioner of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, said the police are investigating how they settled in Eswatini to set up the same scheme.
He said the breakthrough in dismantling the operation was a result of the hard-working police intelligence.
“But, what has alarmed us is that the influx was too high this time around. We were shocked by how these people were able to come into the country”.
He said one of the discoveries made was that their illegal trade is now an internationally noted crime.
Masango said police are working with Interpol to ensure that those on the red list of Interpol will eventually be handed over to the countries where they also practised the criminal activities.
Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation) is the world’s largest international police organisation, comprising 196 member countries to facilitate cross-border police cooperation and combat global crime. Headquartered in Lyon, France, it provides technical and operational support, enabling police to share data and, via tools like red notices, locate fugitives worldwide.
Masango said the law will take its course on all emaSwati who also played a role in facilitating the work of the foreign nationals.
The total number of suspects arrested in connection with the sprawling illicit operation is about 200 since March 10, as investigations intensify into what police believe is a sophisticated and decentralised criminal network operating across the country.
The latest arrests were made during a series of coordinated raids conducted by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), working in conjunction with the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday. It was found that the newly-discovered sites bear striking similarities to the now-infamous operation uncovered at Castle Hotel, where dozens of foreign nationals were initially arrested earlier this month.
According to information gathered, one of the main sites was located at Hawane, where 34 foreign nationals were found operating from a guest house identified as Umushi Wenkosazana Guest House.
The suspects at this location are reported to be from Malaysia and Mainland China. Another operation was uncovered at Woodlands last week, a residential area located a few kilometres from the Mbabane city centre. There, police arrested 15 foreign nationals believed to be from the Philippines and Mainland China.
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